Tomato Varieties With Tall Vines

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Certain tomatoes varieties are described as having tall vines, capable of growing to heights of 6 feet or more. However, as "The New Sunset Western Garden Book" clarifies, these types of tomato plants are not technically vines, as they are unable to climb, but rather sprawl. These vine-like tomato plants are indeterminate varieties, which means they will continue to grow and produce fruit as long as the plant is healthy or killed by frost.

Selection

Many viney tomatoes are heirloom varieties, known for producing abundant foliage and tasty fruit. Indeterminate tomato varieties come in all shapes, sizes and colors. For gardeners wanting to grow cherry tomatoes, varieties include Green Grape, Sungold, Sweet Chelsea Hybrid and Yellow Pear. Those who prefer larger fruit can choose from varieties such as the Brandywine, Early Girl Hybrid, Giant Belgium, Pineapple and Supersteak. If looking for a quick-developing cultivar, capable of producing fruit in less than 60 days, Early Cascade, Early Girl and Quick Pick are fast-growing varieties. Beyond the standard red tomato varieties, White Wonder, Lemon Boy, Jubilee and Evergreen produce white, yellow, orange and green fruit.

Growing Conditions

Because the vines of indeterminate tomato plants will sprawl, spacing is an important consideration before planting. As the University of Illinois Extension notes, some indeterminate varieties may need to be planted 4 feet apart, with 5 or 6 feet left between rows to provide adequate space for their growth and development. Seeds should be planted into warm ground with soil temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for quick germination. Otherwise, seeds can be started indoors or young plants purchased and transplanted. An initial fertilizer should be added to soil at this time, with supplemental amendments provided once fruit has formed.

Special Care

Indeterminate tomato varieties require special care to control their growing vines; it is common for one indeterminate tomato plant to have 10 sprawling stems, each 3 to 5 feet long. Without proper support, these tomato vines will become tangled messes and make their fruit susceptible to sunburn. Several support methods can be used. Some gardeners prefer to stake and prune their vine tomatoes. Others may favor tomato cages; these cages, made of galvanized metal, are readily available, can be used for multiple plants and range in heights from 5 feet or more. Indeterminate tomato vines can also be supported using special tomato fences or trellises.

Common Pests and Diseases

An advantage of indeterminate tomato varieties is that they are less susceptible to certain diseases, such as Alternaria blight. That said, even those varieties listed as resistant to some common infections, such as Fusarium wilt and tobacco mosaic virus, are not completely immune. Watch for signs such as yellowing leaves and brown leaf spots. The tomato hornworm, a green, white-striped caterpillar, can be devastating to a tomato plant, as it feeds on both foliage and fruit. Whitefly and aphids are common insect pests known to attack all tomato varieties.

About the Author

Rachel Delp has been writing and editing for academic and medical publications since 1992. She is based in the mountains of southern Spain and her work focuses on health care, travel and culinary subjects. Her articles can be found on various websites. Delp holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in art from Moravian College.